The Objective of my Photography Blog Remains Unchanged

Nikon discontinuing the Nikon 1 system resulted in a surprising number of readers contacting me via email. They wanted to know what was going to happen with my photography blog. I explained that the objective of my blog remains unchanged.

That stated objective is “to help readers get the most out of the photography gear that they already own”. While I never intentionally set out to be a “Nikon 1 champion” many folks likely have me pigeon-holed as “that Nikon 1 guy”. Some readers may not realize that I’ve shot with Nikon full frame and cropped sensor DSLRs in the past.

As I’ve mentioned in a number of previous articles over the past few years, the choice of photography gear that each of us makes is an intensely personal decision based on our own unique needs. At the end of the day, cameras and lenses are simply the tools we use to bring the visual creations we see in our minds into reality.

Many of us spend far too much time fretting about camera gear and the small, technical enhancements that newer generations of cameras and lenses may offer. Instead, we could be spending a lot more time out with a camera in our hands revelling in the act of creating images and honing our photographic skills.

So, in keeping with the stated objective of my photography blog, I’ll keep on shooting with the Nikon 1 camera gear that I already own – and likely will do so for many years to come. Gear reviews will be minimal at best, especially since there will not be any new Nikon 1 gear to assess.

In the near future I do have some plans to do a brief overview on an external hard drive storage unit that I’ve been using, and hopefully will be doing a piece on the new Nikon Coolpix P1000 bridge camera, assuming that I can get a review sample of the camera from Nikon Canada.

Some major photography projects for the balance of 2018 include eBooks featuring New Zealand photography as well as an eBook on bird photography. I will keep you posted as these projects are completed and available.

I’m also working on finishing up a business-oriented eBook that deals with effective leadership communications. This eBook is based on my experiences as an executive coach. While this eBook has nothing to do with photography, it will be sold through this website.

I’ll continue to publish articles featuring photographs of various subject matter including landscapes, flowers and gardens, birds and wildlife, architecture, automobiles, aircraft, and examples of close-up photography. I’ll also continue to share my experiences working with images in post. If any of these future articles help to inspire you to pick up your camera and go out creating, then I’ll consider the article a success.

From time to time you can expect me to publish the occasional philosophical piece as my spirit moves me.

Technical Note:
All photographs were captured hand-held in available light using Nikon 1 gear as noted in the article. All images were produced from RAW files using my standard process of DxO PhotoLab, CS6 and the Nik Collection.

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Tom – My question has nothing to do with the above per se so i ask your indulgence. A few years back I bought a V3 which I use with the 10-100mm primarily for street photography and as my second camera when I travel. You were very helpful in providing info on RAW processing and workflow. A few weeks ago I purchased a V1 and had it converted to infrared but I’m struggling with the IR image quality. Do you have any experience shooting infrared with the V1 or can you point me to a source that may be helpful?

Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with infrared photography. When you mention “struggling with the IR image quality” I assume you mean in post. The folks at Photography Life recently published a detailed article on post processing IR: https://photographylife.com/how-to-process-infrared-photographs which may be helpful.

When I first read about your work, you were using a D800. So it goes without saying that I will visit your site and read about what you have to say regardless of what camera you’re going to be using next. It can be a pinhole camera you’re going to use next and I would still want to read what you have to say.

I really dig what you say about getting out there and shooting and learning instead of endlessly nitpicking on the latest touchscreen implementations/iso invariance/noise floor/et al which, while technically important, can lead to analysis paralysis (and also unnecessary envy).

Thanks Oggie – I appreciate your comment and your ongoing support! I certainly agree that, depending on the specific needs of a photographer, technical capabilities can be very important when choosing camera gear. What I’ve always found fascinating is observing other photographers showing each other their camera gear and discussing it for lengthy periods, rather than actually using it when out on location. I suppose some of that comes down to bragging rights.
Tom

Dinosaurs have gone extinct, yet survive in birds. Nikon no longer makes the One, yet their V2 and CX70-300 stays with us, a small ergonomic miracle. If it hasn’t sold well, it isn’t the fault of Nikon’s engineers. For me it is perfect, so I bought a second CX70-300, just to be safe. Other lenses are also dear to me, but range a little behind. Much of my N1 gear was bought used for modest amounts. My statistics since 2016: 4 bodies, 8 lenses, 1 defect.

I visit this blog regularly, and not because it covers the N1. The main reason is your ability to keep the eye on the ball: what cameras are made for, what their limitations are and how to handle their weak and their strong sides. I am sure you will continue to study the latest trends in camera tech and check which innovations are potential game changers.

Thank you for adding to the discussion and sharing your Nikon 1 experiences!

I also bought a second CX 70-300 zoom as I’ve found this lens to be a stellar performer. I have had some issues with lens chatter and the lens not focusing at a specific focal length, requiring it to go in for warranty repair three times. The last repair involved the replacement of the VR lens unit. It appears to me that the CX 70-300 is a bit more sensitive to ‘bump shock’ than other 1 Nikon lenses. Perhaps this is due to the added weight of the lens and its components. I think it is prudent to be quite gentle when fully retracting or extending this lens to make sure it isn’t subjected to bumps as it reaches minimum and maximum focal lengths as these continual bumps may cause the VR lens unit to go out of alignment (my non technical understanding and opinion). Other than that the CX 70-300 is one of the finest lenses I’ve ever used regardless of camera format.

I’ve never considered myself a technical photographer, but rather a more experimental and experiential one – so you’re likely giving me far too much credit in terms of following the latest trends. Cameras have always been image making tools, a means to an end for me. For example, I originally stumbled into the Nikon 1 system because at the time, the V2 was the most affordable Nikon option that allowed me to change aperture ‘on the fly’ when shooting video. So it was a great second camera for my client video work. The fact that the V2 was a mirrorless camera or that it could shoot stills at fast frame rates never even crossed my mind.

“[…] you’re likely giving me far too much credit in terms of following the latest trends.”

I was refering to the P1000. If it gets good photos at 3000mm, it MAY be a game changer for certain situations and deserves your attention. A tool for small waders 150m away, or for a peregrine nesting high on a church.

Real game changers are rare. An affordable camera able to shoot nocturnal wildlife at 150,000 iso would also qualify.

Thanks Stefan – I now understand the context of your comment much better! I am looking forward to doing a review on the P1000 and agree that it may be an ideal tool for certain types of wildlife/bird photography. Since it will offer RAW file capability I think that will broaden its potential appeal. One of the things that I will be paying specific attention to is the camera’s auto focus performance as the P900 was not really up to the task when it came to birds-in-flight.
Tom

To quote a famous gentleman: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Nikon 1 system works for you. As long as your equipment is usable, I expect that you will continue to use it for many years. When and/or if the time comes that you have to switch gear, I expect that your choice(s) will be based upon your years of experience and knowledge, and that you will share those choices, and the reasons for such, with your loyal readers.

So please continue to dazzle us with your expertise and excellent photos. Hopefully for many years to come.

“That Tree in Wanaka” is probably the most photographed tree in New Zealand due to its unique position in the water along the shoreline of Lake Wanaka. Under ideal conditions with no wind some quite spectacular photographs can be created. The weather didn’t cooperate during the two days we spent in Wanaka.

Image 4, captured at Brighton Beach, was the result of an unplanned stop. We had pulled off to buy ice cream cones and saw the beach across the road and walked over to investigate.